Wandering

We used to go wandering the neighbourhood for cats and dogs.
Now we see alapacas...sheep....horses...goats.....cats....birds.....dogs....cows.....
The kids are loving it. 
Last night we feed the alpacas and the sheep, and watched huge flocks of birds fly overhead as the sun set behind the snow capped hills. 
How life has changed. 
We are loving it. 

Why hello there!

Would you have a look at what I have found!  On our house hunting adventures we discovered a street lined with blossom trees...and all are starting to peak out.  What a find!  I am supposed to be getting excited at houses we see, yet I must admit, I was more excited by these gorgoeus little blossoms.  We stopped and I stood underneath looking up with the sun on my face for a good few minutes, enjoying the view....pink blossoms, blue sky, a few lazy fluffy clouds....it was heaven.  Then it was back to the house hunting, me with a little spring in my step as I know that so very soon this cold winter will be over, and we will feel the sun on our faces and see blossoms in every street.   So thank you my little blossom friends, for it seems that about this time of the year you remind me that I really do need to feel the cold of winter to appreciate the delights of spring. 

The first morning of the next chapter

When I think of New Zealand, the first words that pop into my head are 'beautiful', 'blue' and 'green'.  This country is so beautiful, and yes being my home, I have always been aware of that.  Every time I flew in from overseas the scenery took my breath away.  But this time, it was different.  Knowing we are here for good, not for a short trip to catch up with as many family and friends as we can cram into a short period of time, but to set up our home, well, it feels like I am looking at it all through a fresh set of eyes.  And the first thing that struck me was just how ruggedly beautiful the land is.  If you fly into Wellington over the top of the South Island, and are lucky enough to see the vast snow capped mountain ranges, the islands of the Sounds, and the green hills of the Wellington region, you will know what I am talking about.

Waking up to this view on our first morning here, the first morning of this next chapter in our lives, with such vibrant blue and green, well, you know I had to do....take a polaroid of course.  :)

up....up.....and away........

"Should we pretend we're driving through the clouds?"

"That sounds like a great idea Annabel."

A trip down Melbourne memory lane....

Some of the places in the city that hold a special place in my heart.....

An odd socks kind of a time

Things are all a bit of a whirlwind here.  On the one hand I am doing all of the lasts...last wander round the city, last trip to the zoo, last play at our favourite playground, last morning at the Children's garden, last playgroup catch up with friends...all the lasts that make me feel so hollow, for I Love this city and the people who have come into our lives in the last 6 years. 

But on the other hand I am planning coffee catch ups, family dinners, nights out with the girls, play dates with cousins, meeting new little babies...all the things I have wanted to be a part of for the last 6 years but we have been away for.  These plans make me feel so relieved, so excited, so eager for the life that is waiting for us next week.  With so much going on, so many emotions, I find I am randomly finishing conversations started an hour ago, talking to myself, forgetting where I put my keys, washing my hair with face wash, taking wrong turns.....reminiscing, daydreaming.....it feels like an odd socks kind of a time.   And as mad and draining as it is, I am savouring it all, for soon we will be settling into our new life, and I need this time to say good bye to Melbourne, and the last 6 years.

"feathering your Nest is good for your soul"

The lovely Nat, owner of gift and homeware boutique 'Nest' in the town of Penguin, Tasmania, sent me these photos of the photo blocks all set up in her divine shop.  It made me smile to see a Sweet William print up on the wall too. 

I couldn't resist sharing these photos, the shop looks so lovely don't you agree?